MOOSIC -- Police in Moosic will be pretty busy over the next few days. Several concerts are drawing thousands of people to the Montage Mountain area, but there are some new features to help keep everyone safe.
Heading to a big show on Montage Mountain usually means dealing with a tangle of traffic.
But now, first responders have a brand new shortcut just for them.
Officials say Geisinger gave Lackawanna County land to build a gravel go-between which cuts from Lakeview Commons near its office building to Montage Mountain road, bypassing some of the most congested parts of Moosic.
"This is like having an immune system running through, this is safety, it is a very great idea," said Christopher Cortez of Henryville.
While the road may only be about a tenth of a mile long, officials say it will be a big help during an emergency.
Moosic Police Chief Charlie Mauer points out the new access road will allow police to respond to a crash without closing down all of Montage Mountain Road and keep ambulances from getting stuck in traffic.
"They should definitely be able to use that road to be able to get into the area where they have to go, so that was a big asset to us," said Chief Mauer.
Concertgoers we met give the new feature a rave review.
Michael Bonney described what he had seen at an earlier show.
"There is an ambulance, getting stuck trying to get around people, because everybody is just trying to cut through lanes, just cutting everywhere. It was horrible."
Christoper Cortez says knowing about the new road makes him feel safer
"A lot of times, people do get hurt. It's really good to know that the community has acknowledged that and takes care of it."
The service road isn't the only change on the mountain. There is also a new place to park, which will be used for people who are camping at music festivals like one that begins on Thursday.
